In Part 2 of our Tax Prep vs. Tax Strategy series, Ryan Edwards from Southeast Retirement Planners sits down with CPA Jamie Eckard, lead of Southeast Tax & Consulting, to break down what a year-round tax strategy actually looks like—and why it’s so different from simply filing a return.

Together, they walk through the key “pillars” that can shape your tax picture over time, including income timing, tax-advantaged retirement contributions (and key 2026/SECURE 2.0 updates), charitable giving strategies, Roth contributions and conversions, tax-loss harvesting, and estate and gift planning considerations. They also share a simple, practical tax calendar to help you move from a stressful April deadline mindset to a more organized planning rhythm throughout the year.

If you’ve ever wondered what your tax strategy is supposed to be—or what you may need to adjust for 2026—this episode will give you a clear framework and next steps to discuss with your financial advisor and tax professional.

In this episode of Southeast Retirement Planners podcast, Ryan Edwards sits down with CPA Jamie Eckard to introduce Southeast Tax & Consulting Services and kick off a new tax strategy series. Join us as they break down the key differences between tax preparation (backward-looking, focused on accurate filing) and tax strategy (forward-looking, focused on minimizing taxes legally over time).

Ryan and Jamie explain why a proactive, year-round approach can help individuals and business owners avoid surprises, coordinate better with financial and tax professionals, and make smarter decisions that compound over multiple years. They also preview upcoming topics like income timing, tax-advantaged investing, charitable giving strategies, Roth contributions and conversions, tax-loss harvesting, and estate/gift planning.

Connect with Southeast Tax & Consulting Services at 828-218-4100 (ext. 200)

Caregiving can feel like a “silent second job.” Ryan Edwards and Les Stewart share the emotional and financial realities of caring for aging parents—and the planning steps that can prevent a crisis.

Connect with Southeast Retirement Planners here!

With so much financial information and data being sent out, pushed out, and processed every day, The Southeast Retirement Planners Podcast aims to help simplify what can sometimes be complex financial situations. Located in Hickory, NC – Southeast Retirement Planners is an independent financial advisory firm that works closely with individuals and businesses to help create sustainable financial plans.

The advisory team at SRP will host each episode and will routinely be joined by clients, business leaders, and other important guests. The SRP podcast will give you actionable ideas and invites you to be a part of important conversations about how to better navigate the financial landscape and how some things “beyond the balance sheet” may impact your financial success.

Connect with Southeast Retirement Planners here!

With so much financial information and data being sent out, pushed out, and processed every day, The Southeast Retirement Planners Podcast aims to help simplify what can sometimes be complex financial situations. Located in Hickory, NC – Southeast Retirement Planners is an independent financial advisory firm that works closely with individuals and businesses to help create sustainable financial plans.

The advisory team at SRP will host each episode and will routinely be joined by clients, business leaders, and other important guests. The SRP podcast will give you actionable ideas and invites you to be a part of important conversations about how to better navigate the financial landscape and how some things “beyond the balance sheet” may impact your financial success.

Connect with Southeast Retirement Planners here!

With so much financial information and data being sent out, pushed out, and processed every day, The Southeast Retirement Planners Podcast aims to help simplify what can sometimes be complex financial situations. Located in Hickory, NC – Southeast Retirement Planners is an independent financial advisory firm that works closely with individuals and businesses to help create sustainable financial plans.

The advisory team at SRP will host each episode and will routinely be joined by clients, business leaders, and other important guests. The SRP podcast will give you actionable ideas and invites you to be a part of important conversations about how to better navigate the financial landscape and how some things “beyond the balance sheet” may impact your financial success.

In this episode, Ryan and Les dive into what happens when a layoff hits just before retirement age—financially, emotionally, and logistically. This episode explores realistic strategies, legal considerations, and mindset shifts to help listeners face the unexpected with confidence.

Connect with Southeast Retirement Planners here!

With so much financial information and data being sent out, pushed out, and processed every day, The Southeast Retirement Planners Podcast aims to help simplify what can sometimes be complex financial situations. Located in Hickory, NC – Southeast Retirement Planners is an independent financial advisory firm that works closely with individuals and businesses to help create sustainable financial plans.

The advisory team at SRP will host each episode and will routinely be joined by clients, business leaders, and other important guests. The SRP podcast will give you actionable ideas and invites you to be a part of important conversations about how to better navigate the financial landscape and how some things “beyond the balance sheet” may impact your financial success.

In this episode, Bob Fincher sits down with Ryan Edwards, for an in-depth conversation about the Certified Exit Planning Advisor (CEPA) designation—what it is, why it matters, and how it sets us apart in helping business owners plan for the future.

🚀 In this episode, we cover:

✅ What the CEPA designation is and how it helps business owners

✅ Why exit planning is essential (even if you’re not planning to sell soon)

✅ How CEPA differentiates our approach from traditional financial advising

✅ The biggest mistakes business owners make when thinking about exiting

✅ Practical steps you can take today to build long-term business value

As we always say: Exit planning IS business planning. It’s not just about the sale—it’s about building a stronger, more valuable business that gives you more control, flexibility, and financial security.

🎧 Tune in for actionable insights that every business owner needs to hear!

💡 Want to learn more?

🔔 Subscribe for more business and exit planning insights:https://www.youtube.com/@southeastretirementplanner7287

📩 Connect with us: BFincher@SERetirementPlanners.com

🌎 Visit our website: www.SERetirementPlanners.com

🔁 Share this episode with a business owner who needs to start planning today!

#ExitPlanning #CEPA #BusinessPlanning #FinancialSuccess #ValueAcceleration #Entrepreneurship #SoutheastRetirementPlanners #BusinessOwners #FinancialLiteracy

With so much financial information and data being sent out, pushed out, and processed every day, The Southeast Retirement Planners Podcast aims to help simplify what can sometimes be complex financial situations. Located in Hickory, NC – Southeast Retirement Planners is an independent financial advisory firm that works closely with individuals and businesses to help create sustainable financial plans.

The advisory team at SRP will host each episode and will routinely be joined by clients, business leaders, and other important guests. The SRP podcast will give you actionable ideas and invites you to be a part of important conversations about how to better navigate the financial landscape and how some things “beyond the balance sheet” may impact your financial success.

This special podcast is a live audio recording from the Southeast Retirement Planners client workshop “Response and Recovery is a Team Sport” on October 19, 2023, at Moretz Mills. This client workshop features special guest speaker, Brock Long who shares with our clients the importance of being financially prepared when a disaster occurs.

Brock is an Executive Chairman at Hagerty Consulting, the former Administrator of FEMA under President Trump, and a 20-year veteran of emergency management and homeland security.

Long is a native of Newton, NC, and lives in Hickory, NC.

With so much financial information and data being sent out, pushed out, and processed every day, The Southeast Retirement Planners Podcast aims to help simplify what can sometimes be complex financial situations. Located in Hickory, NC – Southeast Retirement Planners is an independent financial advisory firm that works closely with individuals and businesses to help create sustainable financial plans.

The advisory team at SRP will host each episode and will routinely be joined by clients, business leaders, and other important guests. The SRP podcast will give you actionable ideas and invites you to be a part of important conversations about how to better navigate the financial landscape and how some things “beyond the balance sheet” may impact your financial success.